LawnGnome

Now this is interesting. What if a large portion of this money were redistributed to the people of Isaan?

If the braintrust here on TV has thought of that, I am sure the higher ups in the government have as well. It is a great idea, and the ultimate irony, in many ways.

Of course Thaksin had nothing to do with the LCM51 action against the HIV awareness parade organized by gay groups. LCM51 are a lunatic extreme group who have judging form an interview, previosuly posted on this site, with one of their leaders decideed that they are the arbiters of what is acceptable Lanna culture in Chiang Mai and who have a proven track recored in threats and violence that includes actions against farmers and even other red groups. LCM51 should be condemned but that should not extend to routine condemnation or demonization against all red groups or their supporters and sympathisers. Most of these are reasonable people with mostly reasonsble demands who probably themselves dont even agree with what LCM51 gets up to. It is possible to condemn the actions of lunatics on any side in this without having to resort to demonizing all.

Although I use LCM51 as an example here it can be equally applied to other sides.

Very well said. Anyone willing to take the trouble of finding news sources other than the ones typically peddled here will find no shortage of reasonable people on any side.

I would hold my breath waiting for Winnie to "Condemn" any red action resulting in violence or bigotry, but it hasn't happened to far, and I don't want to turn purple.

Agree 100%, ABHISIT MUST GO!

Yes, the soft spoken leader who represents Thailand so well to the world, makes considered and measured judgments, and has (through his governments policies) helped Thailand weather the worst global depression in 50 years, while simultaneously battling two hostile, mouth-breathing segments of society (reds and yellows), and a megalomaniac with no scruples about sending innocents to die to reclaim his lost fortunes - Abhisit is obviously a poor choice for leader of Thailand. BRING BACK SAMAK.

Love him or hate him, you have to respect him for his tenacity and willpower.

The real loser are the Thai people via the Abhisit government, which is stubbornly running around in circles, accomplishing absolutely nothing in terms of national reconciliation.

Simple fact of the matter is Thaksin will remain highly influential to millions of Thais for years to come.

Lets see if those "millions" of Thais join the redshirt rally this weekend. Remember - it is "millions" right? Because when the number is less than that, I don't want you backtracking.

Just see the results of the poll. That Mr Thaksin has 30% support is absolutely fantastic given the constant brain washing from the local english press. One can expect a clear majority once a more balanced information will be available

Yes, but you and Koo jumping on all your different account names/incarnations to increase his sad percentage is rather less than fantastic. lol

Sigh.... I have a prediction as well, based on professional pundits. Here it is. Tomorrow is uncertain.

my prediction for Dec 2009

court will find Thaksin assets now belong to Kingdom

Dec will be bloody, much worse than April

current gov and PM will stand cos most of the mil and police force will side with current gov

why: T's timing. He always takes up too much at the time. Beginning of Dec is no time to flex muscles, even the North of this country will know an insult when they see one. Next month will be the end of T

My prediciton for Dec - Thaksin's money will be gone, the red shirts will go home, and the government will continue on its way.

Should we not hear from the defence and subsequently the verdict before the expected result of guilty is confirmed?

Or is it already a given?

Surely "Thailand", you as one of the oldest members of Thaivisa must know that the Farang Judges in Thailand are the best in the country? No matter what anybody says...if the Farang Judges pass their judgments it's indeed "a given" since they eat out of The Nation's hands and trough....

What The Nation writes is always true; non-biased as they are.

It's about the same as Thai Judges/Expats know what's best for the US, the UK, France, Australia or Japan

LaoPo

Well, I suppose the Nation is as unbiased as LaoPo's news brand of choice - Truth Today!

Should we not hear from the defence and subsequently the verdict before the expected result of guilty is confirmed?

Or is it already a given?

The moment Thaksin fled the country, the defense rested its case.

Lets hear Jayboy explain how this was perfectly justifiable under the circumstances.

It should be remembered that many of these people are passionate to their cause, and we know that many Thais suppress their emotions so often, that when the come bubbling up, the consequences can sometimes be violent and deadly. Not a flame, just a societal observation, that can be documented in several texts.

I would like to see the government handle these types of situations more dispassionately, which they are good at doing in most instances, aside from Thaksin and the Reds (Sounds like a bad 50's band).

I love it too, first time in a while I can get about in grown up pants, instead of having to wear shorts all the time, a few thicker T-Shirts can now be used, I actually have some fashion options back, heck I might even wear a jacket.

Oz

So now we know where Ralph Lauren has been hiding himself.

Wow, what an incredible hyperbole. Why do we have to endure this BS every day I wonder.

I ask myself that same question with your every post Winnie,

As the days and weeks roll by, and Thaksin sinks further and further in depravity, those who defend him look more and more unstable as well. Also, it would sure be refreshing if Thaksinistas would admit that you can dislike Thaksin, and still not be allied with the military/PAD/ elite/ ThaiChinese Own All and Control All Conspiracy, etc.

If found guilty, Thaksin could see Bt76.6 billion in assets seized, if the money is deemed to have been acquired improperly.

Wasn't it already "seized"? I thought it was in holding until this ridiculously long court case is completed? Hopefully recent events will speed things up a bit.

I think that if the decision is not made in Thaksin's favour, and there is no recourse for an appeal, he will lose interest in his shenanigans. The red shirts, black Songkran, and now all of this in Cambodia are all an attempt to get back in and stop this case.

When will we see a conclusion to this? I remember something about a December judgment?

And pray tell, where might such seized assets go if/when a judgement is made against him...?? Charitable cause, I reckon?

Well, hopefull into making the country a better place (With the unavoidable 10% taken buy corrupt state officials. lol

You konw, its funny, but i actually think that if Thaksin has stayed, and began to serve his sentance, he would have found a pardon easier, and might have found a way to even get back into office.

As it is, he is an international pariah (aside from the most vile dictators), and has to suffer the shame of being labeled a "fugitive" everywhere he goes. Poor guy, almost makes you feel sorry for him...almost.

Waiting for the red shirt brigage (Que Ulysses) to explain that is quite well and proper for them to try to intimidate and threaten the PM. I am sure they'll all join in when people start throwing things, shooting fireworks etc.

Those red shirts - nothing but class, from top to bottom.

My university enjoys a nice benefit from Abhisit being in charge, as Abhisit's father used to be the president, so we get good budget consideration. I appiciate that, and try to produce the best graduates I can, as do my collegues.

LawnGnome. What would your stance be if Thaksin was still in power and decided to give a university "good budget consideration" because maybe he was pally with the dean or something? Genuine question.

Exactly but I suspect he inhabits an irony free zone.

Ahh Jayboy - i still love you.

I do hope that the subject matter of your lectures is not English. However I will not labour the point lest a fully paid up member of the hard of thinking fraternity calls me a language Nazi.

It is not a teacher retraining programme that is needed; it is a teacher re-education programme. There is a significant difference.

If your young daughter came home from school and told you that one of her lessons for the day was sex education you might well be pleased about that and certainly would not cause you any alarm. If she told you that she had undergone sex training you'd probably make a rocket assisted trip to the school in a state of high dudgeon.

I have a ten year old niece up country with whom I have sat down and taught the basic rules of arithmetic. I didn't use a laptop or any fancy paraphernalia, just granite chippings and coins of the realm. She is currently assisting her 'teacher' in explaining decimal fractions and percentages to her classmates - and sometimes to the 'teacher'. She amazed her 'teacher' by explaining her thought processes in arriving at the answer of 9 times 9. As I had taught her, she multiplied 9 by 10 and then subtracted 9. Simple. How this lady 'teacher' has the balls to wear a flash uniform with medals and epaulettes displaying her rank, and presumably basking in the respect of others, is beyond me.

It is shameful that university graduates require a calculator to perform simple arithmetic calculations, and given the ever increasing rate of technological advances, this state of affairs ensures that Thailand will always be a third world country. The first world invests in its young people which indirectly leads to innovation and new or better products which the third world, through their blindness and corruption, are condemned to buying in. When will the hi-so's who run this country learn that having a highly educated and motivated work force leads to more commercial and industrial opportunities, a by-product of which would mean even more money for themselves?

To return to the subject matter of the thread from which I have strayed. Every last sitang that Thaksin and his cronies and cohorts have stolen from the Thai people needs, as a matter of priority, to be confiscated and ploughed into a fully comprehensive and well thought out education programme.

Agree with the later - as for my language and spelling errors, i would mark that up to typing quickly and not spell checking. I teach music anyway. If you want to challenge my intonation, you are welcome to give it a go.

My university enjoys a nice benefit from Abhisit being in charge, as Abhisit's father used to be the president, so we get good budget consideration. I appiciate that, and try to produce the best graduates I can, as do my collegues.

LawnGnome. What would your stance be if Thaksin was still in power and decided to give a university "good budget consideration" because maybe he was pally with the dean or something? Genuine question.

Well, when Thakin was in power, he gave my university a lot of budget consideration as well. Maybe our university officials are just better at wooing politicians than most.. lol Whatever the means, it has allowed us to create a top tier program, which definitely benefits the country.

I lied, I am going to comment further. Why would anyone "retire" when they have a court ordered child support payment to meet? Frankly, it looks like you were never in any position to retire. If you think that paying $450 (half of your pension) is enough to support 2 teenagers, then you're mental. A man who bears children has the responsibility to raise and support them fully until their majority. Anyone who would "retire" on a $900 pension obviously doesn't much care about his childrens welfare, and and you are not going to get an ounce of sympathy from me.

Don't you get it? It doesn't matter if your wife is Lucifer herself. You have a court ordered obligation, and you have a far larger moral obligation to your children. Retiring, moving to Thailand and only sending $450 for your 2 teenage children is reprehensible.

Edited because I misread the OP's support explanation.

If you still have 2 teenagers to support, you are in no position to retire. Frankly, retiring while still having those obligations was a rather bizarre move, that should be explained further, if you hope to garner any support beyond the sexpat brigade. Go home, get another job and support your kids fully until they reach their majority. I am not making any further assumptions about your situation, because being presented with only one side of the story does not lend itself to making any conclusions.

Found this snake sitting on my fence tonight. Security came and touched it lightly and it vanished, but I wondered if anyone could give me an ID on the species? I left the file big if anyone want a close up.

Hehehe, this topic is about penises. Penises are funny. heh heh heh.

Penis! There i said it again... :D :D

penis.